Gold and Silver Flowing for Distillery Botanica

Central Coast artisan distillery, Distillery Botanica, has won Gold and Silver at the prestigious 2013 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) in London for their Lemon Myrtle Liqueur and Absinthe Reverie. The IWSC is considered to be the most prestigious competition of its kind in the world. For the second year running, Distillery Botanica is the only Australian distillery to be awarded a gold medal.

'Out of the 55 liqueur classes only three gold medals were awarded and one went to my Lemon Myrtle Liqueur' confirmed Philip Moore, Proprietor and Distiller.

The judges' response to the tasting: "The Lemon Myrtle opens with delicate aromas of lemon, barley and sherbet. The palate is wonderfully elegant and well balanced, with the citrus flavours in perfect harmony with the underlying sweetness."

Moore grows the Lemon Myrtle in the garden at the distillery in Erina and is distilled in a traditional copper still. This handcrafted offering is bottled by hand on site.

'My artisanal small batch approach has created a world class liqueur that the Central Coast can be proud of' expressed Moore.

Moore recommends adding the Lemon Myrtle to cocktails for a zing or sipped straight before and/or after a meal.

The Silver Medal winning Absinthe Reverie is also handcrafted on the Central Coast in the French tradition. In the Absinthe Class silver was the highest award given, making this the highest awarded Australia absinthe ever.

'In its first batch and first appearance in the premier spirit competition in the world my Absinthe Reverie is up there with the very best French and Swiss absinthes' proudly states Moore.

The 'Holy trinity' of Florence Fennel, Green Anise and Ground Wormwood are also distilled in the traditional copper pot still. It is naturally coloured by maceration of the traditional herbs Hyssop, Lemon Balm and Petite Wormwood. Some of the plants were also grown in the distillery garden at Erina.

Moore described the Absinthe Reverie as an unsweetened complex spirit best enjoyed as a herbal aperitif prior to meals.

'It reveals a perfectly balanced complex of citrus, mint, anise and wormwood aromas and flavours' accounts Moore.

The Central Coast is an emerging destination for artisan beverages with a collection of flavours waiting to be discovered not only at Distillery Botanica but also Firescreek Fruit Winery and the newly opened Six Strings Brewery, all within approx 10 minute drive of each other.

• Distillery Botanica, 25 Portsmouth Road,Erina

• Six Strings Brewery,4/330 The Entrance Road, Erina

• Firescreek Fruit Winery, 192 Wattle Tree Road,Holgate

All venues are opened Wednesday to Sunday.